TAFE Queensland partners Castrol Townsville 500

V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton announced today TAFE Queensland as the co-naming rights partner of the Castrol Townsville 500 event next month.

TAFE Queensland will co-present the weekend to reinforce their recently announced brand and awareness campaign.

As part of the deal TAFE Queensland students will fill 'real roles' at the Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland showcasing their skillsets to business, industry and the community, locally and internationally.

TAFE Queensland students will be involved in hospitality, event management, marketing, television, media, motorsport, engineering and commercial activities by integrating with the world class V8 Supercars team.

This sits in line with TAFE Queensland's mantra of offering students practical skills to do extraordinary things, along with brand and product placement around the venue.

It also aligns TAFE Queensland and its students with the biggest event in North Queensland.

The Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural and regional events throughout the state.

"It was an ideal partnership which allows TAFE Queensland to align with the largest event in North Queensland while offering students real-life, practical experience," Warburton said.

"Although we are a sport, we are also an events and entertainment business that has elements of event management, television, operations, motorsport, hospitality, marketing, communications, engineering, mechanics and education within.

"It is real life industry in a real environment. For us it is also about helping promote industry in the region and opportunities for people of all ages to expand their skills."

TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer Jodi Schmidt said the Castrol Townsville 50 - Driven by TAFE Queensland was a wonderful opportunity to reintroduce TAFE Queensland to the marketplace.

"As the state's largest provider of further education and training, each year we Make Great Happen for more than 180,000 students across more than 500 programs.

"We are pretty sure within the race crowd as well as those that watch the broadcast there will be plenty of people who want to find out how TAFE Queensland can Make Great Happen for them."

Warburton, Chief Operating Officer Shane Howard and V8 Supercars Championship leader Mark Winterbottom visited Reid Park today to oversee the progress of the site build and discuss some of the significant changes to this year's event.

"We worked incredibly hard last year to retain this race for Townsville and North Queensland for another three years. It's our aim to keep it here for many years coming," Warburton said.

"It's been great to spend some time in Townsville over the last few days and see the City is getting right behind the event.

"We have an entirely refurbished precinct, the massive SuperTop, two amazing artists and the best racing on the planet."

Warburton also announced that the Saturday of the event would be officially declared Ladies Day with a pamper zone under the SuperTop leading into the concerts of Australian music divas Vanessa Amorosi and Jessica Mauboy.

"Given the fact that we have secured Australia's leading female artist Jessica Mauboy and Vanessa Amorosi, our team have come up with the concept for the Saturday of the event," he said.

"Our events team is working on having lounge seating, a hair and makeup retouch service, a refreshing back, shoulder and neck massage, plus other special offerings in an exclusive Ladies Retreat.

"We encourage the girls to get dressed up for a day trackside, come out and enjoy the day Flemington style."

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey welcomed the addition of Ladies Day to the Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland.

"Ladies Day will provide another great visitor experience for the Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland, adding to an inviting program of entertainment both on and off the track," Ms Stuckey said.

"The Queensland Government's 20-year plan for tourism, Destination Success, encourages the delivery of innovative and unique experiences in Queensland such as this to drive repeat visitation."

Warburton also announced incentives for people to pre-purchase for next year including a free 2014 pit walk for anyone purchasing a 2015 ticket at this year's event.

Those who purchase either a Gold or Platinum grandstand seat this year will have the opportunity to win the ultimate V8 Supercars experience and go for a high-speed ride around one of Queensland's trickiest street circuits with Bottle-O Racing Team driver David Reynolds*.

This year's Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland will showcase a new event precinct including new grandstands that are purpose built for the avid race fan to enjoy the action in their own secure seat.

Conveniently located near food stalls, bars and toilets, race goers won't miss any of the on-track entertainment and will also have access to the Saturday night post-race concert.

There are five grandstands to choose from with ample on-track viewing from the Turn 11 Hairpin, Turn 12 or down the main straight, plus a clear sight to the big screens. The Gold and Platinum grandstands are the best seats trackside.

Grandstand seats are still available for three days of V8 Supercars action at the Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland, July 4 - 6. Click here for ticket options.

*Flights and accommodation not included in prize. Tickets must be purchased via Ticketek prior to July 2, 2014 to go into the draw.